Sandra Hayden founded Studio Art4All in 2016 following the sudden closure of the Royal School for Deaf Children in Margate.  Sandra had worked as an art teacher across the school and college, in a variety of roles for over twenty years.

Drawing on her deep commitment to a holistic approach to art education and extensive experience of supporting the wellbeing of young people with additional needs, Sandra established a studio environment to run bespoke art workshops for deaf, autistic and neurodivergent artists.

Communication can be a barrier for many of those who attend Art4All and Sandra’s use of British Sign Language alongside a total communication approach ensures the studio remains an inclusive, calm and supportive space.

Rather than focusing on disability, the studio centres itself on each member’s wellbeing and instinctive abilities which in turn promotes self-confidence.

Disability is not seen, rather the focus is on individual’s unique ability and create without inhibition.

Sandra believes passionately in the those that participate at Art4All and strives to create the conditions in which they feel secure enough to be brave and to share what is happening in their inner worlds.

Her own practice is shaped by her own life experiences, and more recently from the time spent in the studio, exploring sensory and accessible ‘doable’ techniques, adaptive tools and joyful approaches to making art. Colour, care, experimentation and shared joy sit at the heart of Art4All.